The Head of Afolaje family in Ibadanland, Chief Wahab Popoola has declared that the 21 new Obas who were installed on Sunday are ‘honorary’ kings.
Popoola explained that no special rites were performed on them, as the white paper that led to the installation was explicit about it.
The 21 elevated High Chiefs and Baales were coronated as Obas on Sunday by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state.
While throwing his weight behind the decision of the state government, the Popoola who holds the position Oluwo, noted that the new kings posed no threat to the authority of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Popoola while speaking with journalists on the status of the new Obas maintained that instead of performing the rites that were always done before an Olubadan would be crowned, the new kings only required his blessing because they were “honorary kings.”
“I did what I had to do during the enthronement of the kings. I blessed them as the Oluwo Afobaje of Ibadan land. There are no special rites performed because they are like honorary kings.
“The White Paper that established the kings is explicit enough. The governor did this to change the status of the high chiefs and the baales. There is nothing to it more than that.
“The White Paper, which I have seen, stated clearly that the Olubadan is the highest ranking king in Ibadan and that any of the new kings that disrespects him shall be sanctioned. This means that the power and the authority of the Olubadan are not tampered with”, he said.
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